We elect them

On July 20, there was a letter in the Los Angeles Times regarding the mess in the city of Bell (“Does failing to vote ring a Bell?” Los Angeles Times). Although our issues are not with salaries, with some details altered a little it could sound just like the city of Santa Clarita. “What percentage of Bell’s citizens are registered to vote? How many go to the polls?”

Fellow citizens of Santa Clarita, please think about what is happening in our city. Don’t forget it when the next local election comes around. Just because the city election is separate from any other election, make it a point to go and vote. (Could it be that it is planned that way to keep the voter turnout low?)

If you are a member of a homeowners association or other local organization, speak up at a meeting and encourage your fellow residents to vote. Such a small percentage of eligible voters makes it to the polls.

To quote the letter in the Los Angeles Times: “Those who don’t (vote) get what they deserve: a gang of bandits known as Bell city officials. The people do have rights — they just need to exercise those rights.”

Let’s start showing up to the meetings where things are discussed. Let’s voice our opinions both in private and in public. And most importantly, at the next election let’s vote in numbers never seen before. Our government should speak for us. We elect them.